The Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission met to discuss community mental health services, air quality, and the commission's work programme. The meeting included an overview of Hackney's mental health services, a discussion of a new Air Quality Action Plan, and a review of the commission's work programme for the year.

Air Quality Action Plan 2026-2030

The commission was scheduled to discuss the health impacts of poor air quality and the new Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) 2026–2030. The discussion was expected to cover air quality trends and changes in 2024 and 2025, progress on the current Air Quality Action Plan, and the new Air Quality Action Plan 2026-2030, including planned changes and progress towards adoption.

According to the executive summary of the draft AQAP 2026-2030, Hackney Council aims to achieve the World Health Organization (WHO) interim targets and guideline values by 2030:

• Nitrogen dioxide: 30 µg/m³
• PM10: 20 µg/m³
• PM2.5: 10 µg/m³

The executive summary of Hackney's Air Quality Annual Status Report for 2024 noted that the trend of decreasing nitrogen dioxide, observed in recent years, continued in 2024 for the vast majority of monitoring sites. Levels of PM10 were below national air quality objectives, with a slight exceedance at one site, Homerton Library. Levels of PM2.5 were also below the annual mean concentration target. However, ozone levels were increasing.

The report also provided updates on the 47 actions in the Air Quality Action Plan 2021-2025, including:

• Expansion of the air quality monitoring network.
• Promotion of the Air Aware information tool.
• Support for the Mayor of London's Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) Low Emission Zone.
• Progress on the implementation of a borough-wide Smoke Control Order.
• Reducing emissions from heating systems in public buildings.
• The award of the third round of the Hackney Community Energy Fund.
• Jointly leading on the multi-borough Healthy Waterways project.
• Under the Zero Emissions Network (ZEN), cargo bike grants were awarded to local businesses.
• Progress with the Amhurst Road and Pembury Circus transformation scheme.
• New tree planting in parks and on housing estates.
• Completion of protected cycle tracks and installation of new cycle hangars.
• Carrying out wide-ranging activities to prevent engine idling.
• Installation of new electric vehicle charging points and School Streets.
• The approval of investment to install new planted green screens to protect school pupils from roadside air pollution.

Community Mental Health Offer

The commission was scheduled to discuss a new community mental health offer in Hackney over two meetings. The first meeting on 11 November was intended to provide background and context, while a follow-up session on 15 January 2026, was scheduled to give consideration to East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT)'s updated Community Mental Health Offer.

The aim of the 11 November meeting was to understand:

• The scope of local mental health, local prevalence, and the current support available.
• ELFT's current offer, detailing how people access their services and then move through the various care pathways.
• Key drivers for ELFT's Transformation Programme, the current timelines, and consultations.
• The wider commissioning intentions in North East London and the work of the integrated mental health post and what has been achieved thus far.

Contributors to the meeting were scheduled to include Jennifer Millmore, Senior Public Health Specialist (Mental Health and Suicide Prevention) from City and Hackney Public Health, Jed Francique, Borough Director for City and Hackney from ELFT, Dr Olivier Andlaeur, Clinical Director City and Hackney from ELFT, Perpetua Knight, Deputy Director of Integrated Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism from NHS NEL, and Vanessa Morris, Chief Executive from Mind CHWF (City, Hackney, Waltham Forest).

The meeting on 15 January 2026, was scheduled to cover:

• How the new approach will vary from the previous one.
• What issues emerged from consultations.
• Particular challenges arising from the short term nature of funding and the current uncertainty of where future budget control might sit.
• How the offer will align with the Neighbourhoods Programme.
• How the offer will align with the Adult Social Care provision.
• How the offer will align with NHS 10 Year Plan's emphasis on digital in both the NHS App and ELFT's patient engagement app.

Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission Work Programme

The commission was scheduled to consider the updated work programme for 2025-26.